Instagram changed its algorithms once again. What worked before might not work now. If you’re a small brand or an influencer, algorithms are working in your favor right now. And you can leverage the most reach out of our Instagram account if you keep creating good content, and keep track of the outdated Instagram tips.
Outdated Instagram Tips of 2023
Some of these tactics used to work once upon a time, but aren’t doing much to your Instagram growth strategy now.
Follow-Unfollow
If there’s a trend that you should have dropped even before 2022, it is the follow-unfollow trend. (If you ask me, I’ll deny ever hopping on to this trend).
If you’re following to unfollow, Instagram is keeping tabs on you. And might push you down in their algorithms if you keep doing it.
So just stop!
No one follows you if you follow them anymore. In fact, most people are onto you and lose their trust in you and your brand if you do it to them.
30 Hashtags
Instagram allows us to use 30 hashtags on every post. But, should we be using them all?
The answer will be no in 2023.
Instagram now has a more advanced AI. You know what that means. The algorithm now picks up keywords from your content and pushes it to the right audience. Now the focus is moved from hashtags to SEO. So, now if you want your posts to be visible to non followers, research keywords for your account and niche, and use them more often on your captions. Use them on your alt tags.
Having said that, hashtags are still important. They do improve visibility but for now, go to 5-10 hashtags per post. Make sure the hashtags you use are relevant to your content so the Instagram algorithms know they can trust you to not spam through hashtags.
Hashtags in Stories
Instagram removed hashtags from stories, so there is no need for you to use them when they are no longer working.
Hashtags in Comments
Instagram has confirmed that hashtags in comments don’t help improve searchability for your brand. If you want to add hashtags, do it on your captions.
Styled Grid
Posting as a grid is so last year. These perfectly styled grids don’t go with the ‘Insta’ theme and should have never been adopted in my opinion.
Even though I’m guilty of still using them sometime back, I soon found out grids are restrictive. You can no longer be spontaneous, and you’ll notice that it’s often the spontaneous posts that often get you the highest engagement.
Cold Pitching in DMs
If you have an Instagram account, you probably got pitched to become an ambassador or asked to buy a service/product.
And if you’re like most of us jaded people, you probably blocked them without responding. Even Instagram now drops these cold pitches in the message request folder where they often stay unnoticed till time unknown.
2 -Second Reels
You might have fooled Instagram one-trending audio ago, but it’s not going to happen again.The best reel length for 6-9s seconds. Instagram is pushing mini-reels since they are short and easily consumable by the audience as they continue to scroll down to discover the next cutest, most helpful or most entertaining thing.
Sharing Every Post on Story
You are actually doing more harm than good when you share all your posts on the story. Instagram pushes your story content further to the right if you keep reposting every post as a story. Both of them have a different format, and when you put up your post as a story it looks ugly. You have to admit it. If you still want to promote your content on both post and story, recreate the post in a story format.
Posting 1-2 Times a Week
Instagram wants you to spend more and more on their platform. The more time you spend on Instagram, the higher you go up their algorithm. Posting once or twice a week is going to get crickets to your account.
Post 5-12 times a week. Engage with your target audience. Share stories. Stay active on Instagram to stay at the top.
Post-Single Photos as Reels
Instead of single photos, consider turning them into a carousel post. If not, try converting the same post into a Reel format and post your photo as a reel. Add trending audio. Voila! You just improved your chances of reaching more people.
Only Doing Trending Reels
Yes, trending reels can get you good exposure. But if you’re only doing trending reel, you’re positioning yourself just as a copycat. You aren’t going to establish your authority if you keep hopping on to trends. Post reels that add value to your target audience.
Posting Too Many Stories
3-5 Stories a day is more than enough. If your stories look like dots at the top of your stories, you’re posting too many.
Try this. Do a reset. After you’ve put up too many stories, don’t post for another 24 hours. Let the plus sign show next to your profile image. And when you post a story, opt for an engaging one. It could be a poll, a question or a sticker.
Now time for some truths. No Lying. Which of these outdated Instagram Tips are you guilty of?
Learn More About Instagram Trends right from Instagram itself.